Melb-A-Toast

Yes. Anytime he can have a dig at Collingwood supporters it makes the story more enjoyable

That was fantastic. Love the last story of his view of Glen and he fighting and his mother arbitrating

Could be Tightrope

It would be fantastic if Lewis gets there, as it means that he is contributing well and the team is getting those benefits. It would be rather challenging for him to make it to 100 club games. Nathan Jones record will stand along very nicely with David Neitz, Melbourne and AFL Hall of Famer.

Chris Judd just said, "He's so hard that when he does push ups, the Earth moves" Love it!

I believe that Xavier is nephew of Jamie.

James Morrison Dawes?

Burgoyne has been good against us. Is he a chance to return?

I saw that after the first quarter, the attempted torpedo from the middle or wing. This aligns to the chaos ball. The torp can pass the defensive line providing opportities for easy marks or run on goals for the faster forwards. If the kick is not well-connected then it has a randomness that our forwards should be bringing to ground for the front and centre rovers. I don't mind the tactic as long as our players are set up for it. The challenge is that the kicker needs to read the play just as well. On a similar note, the kick to the top of the square is being defended quite well by most teams. Looking at variations, kicking to 25 out could provide run out goals for the defensive team. Chaos ball is probably best option after exhausting short pass, and handball to running receiver.

His Dad is a big demons fan and I recall Mark talking about his sons enjoying watching Melbourne after having their doubts when we were less than good

Watching Carlton/Collingwood and then Melbourne/GWS showed me that Melbourne is superior in moving the ball through the middle of the ground. The challenge is that scoring opportunities are from 30m out, not 50 as for the men's game. This enables poorer disposal teams to stifle any benefit gained by the attacking team by collapsing defence into this critical area. The ability of the forwards to mark under pressure is now a bigger advantage. The other, which Melbourne use is to quickly move the ball from turnover into the danger area before the defensive team is set. This is where better kicking skills are a must, and where supporter frustration is reduced. I remember the collective groans of us Melbourne supporters when the men's team would turn it over after having one bad possession in a potentially successful chain, only to have the opposition take full advantage down to their goal. I haven't seen the Adelaide/Brisbane Bulldogs/Fremantle game, so maybe Brisbane and Bulldogs have shown similar skills. I like the game now, and once there are clean extended chains, this will increase the attractiveness of the game.

Agree, but that is the defensive plan from my reading of the game. So either they need to change the plan, or continue to get hybrid defenders

The defence is based on a zone with rotations, which means, at times, smalls play on talls. So, the game plan where monster defender playing on big forward are not in vogue. Versatility is key. Jetta can play on talls and Lever on smalls. Clearly mismatches occur which is where the zone hopefully enables the other defenders to help in the contest, then run the ball out with speed.

For breakout player, we have two developing backmen in Oscar and Frost. Frost is a good spoiler, great closing and breakaway speed as well as tackling and defensive pressure. Oscar has very good intercept mark and spoil, an elite kick (accuracy), and understands and supports well the defensive rotations. To be breakout, both need to reduce brain fades re disposals especially when under pressure. As both have added bulk this off season, that can make them part of a formidable backline. It's been a very long (and too long) time that Melbourne has had such depth in the backline.

Good to know that we were resting players in last quarter. Another good opportunity to identify weaknesses (and strengths) in either structure or execution. Stinear & co. would expect the game plan to be followed irrespective of the players on field. Not too worried about last kick of game, though always better to win.

Itching... is that an AFLXion?

Though true, when has this stopped certain recidivists from continuing to make the same commentary, albeit in different forms, as if they are the moral right.

thanks Dees in October. So that makes it 21 years and still going. Does Smith get close?

very observant and caters to my pedantic nature! I see that as continuous based on each year on list. Does anyone know how far back McDonalds go? Surely we have an amateur historian amongst us.

Not the food establishment, but I was wondering how long (continuously) has a McDonald been on the MFC list. I think it is since 1995, or thereabouts. Can anyone with a thirst for research find out? Have there been other continuous surnames with such a time period? Smith would have a chance. Also how far back do we go before a McDonald was not named in the team? Perhaps when Junior did his hamstring in his last year...

question to ask: "With Simon Goodwin taking the helm, even though they had similar philosophies, did you tweak the focus on the types of players to recruit this year or even last year?" "Some teams are looking at Richmond and Bulldogs' less reliance on pure rucks. As Max Gawn has a big advantage for tap work, does the recruitment look to develop another Max Gawn, or more of the Hybrid as the future primary ruck role? (Hoping of course that Max is fit and well for many years at Melbourne)"

Spar go -> Hit run...

I think you were meaning umbrage rather than homage...

thanks Siren, that is a great personal perspective that many footballers ( and elsewhere) will go through. A well written piece by Ben.

Plapp, the old Casey coach has joined